Research Retreat
On the 23rd and 24th November 2008, 50 staff and students spent two days at the Moreton Bay Research Station discussing their research, new ideas and strategies for the future. The schedule was hectic. On Monday, talks began at 10am and finished at 7pm, with time off only for food and drinks. A similar pace was maintained on the second day, although we finished at 3pm in order to catch the return ferry to Brisbane. There was a strong feeling of comradery amongst participants as they listened to the "new blood", the post-docs and the post-grad students talk about their work. Although the Head of School thought the highlight of the retreat was his annual report (which only went 40 minutes overtime), the real winner was the postgrad 3-minute talks. These presentations were decisive, interesting and very challenging (just ask Chris Glen about staying on time). Steve Taylor was certainly in fine form after dinner as he awarded the 1st and 2nd prizes to  Lenore Litherland and Natasha Behrendorff, respectively.

The major take-home message was that communication was the key to a successful organisation. There was a committment to find a new forum for discussing research within the School, post-docs sought a means of improving their induction into the School and of raising their profile, staff reaffirmed the need for the research committee to review previously unsuccessful grants early during the submission process, participants recognised the need for mentoring at all levels within the School, and Shaun Collin discussed the importance of marketing in communication as well as the importance of open dialogue as we move towards preparing our submission to the School review in 2009. There was recognition of the challenges faced by Schools as they strived to achieve excellence in both research and teaching. The need to broaden our staff profile and find the right mix of teaching focused, teaching and research academics and research-only staff was acknowledged.

The retreat was warmly welcomed by the students and post-docs. The discussions exposed them to current academic issues and allowed them to gain an insight into the polices and procedures driving University research. The introduction of yearly retreats in the sociable environment provided by the Moreton Island Research Station was strongly endorsed.

We will return in 2009.

Masquerade Ball
The ball was a huge success with 91 staff and students in attendance. The speech delivered by Dr Ethan Scott gave us a road trip through the life cycle of the student, from Honours through to Postdoctoral stage. Everyone had a dance - including Nick Lavidis who showed us some of his cool rap dancing techniques! The night was most enjoyable for all. Awards & winners were:

Best Dress: Elizabeth Butt (featured below)
Best Postgraduate: Shyuan Ngo (Noakes Lab)
Most Helpful Academic: Assoc. Professor Peter Thorn
Best Lab: Gillam Lab

Photo's from the Ball can be downloaded from here.

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The results of the 2009 Academic promotions round have just been released by the academic board. Congratulations to Dr Kay Colthorpe and Hardy Ernst upon their promotion to Lecturer B in Biomedical Sciences. Kay and Hardy are important members of our teaching team and play critical roles in driving teaching scholarship within the Education Research Unit. The School executive strongly endorses the Academic Board’s recommendation for promotion and is proud of their collegial approach to encouraging excellence in teaching and learning in the School of Biomedical Sciences.

Congratulations to Stephen Anderson who won a Dean’s Citation and a Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. He was the only recipient to win in both categories which is a clear indication of Stephen’s drive, enthusiasm and dedication to teaching and learning.

NOTE: Leanne Brennan will be on Long Service Leave from 1 December - 6 February 2009.

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Progress Reports
A reminder that ARC and NHMRC projects continuing in 2009 will need to have progress reports submitted early next year. RRTD will be emailing Chief Investigators with further details of UQ-specific submission instructions in due course. Preliminary advice below.
 
ARC Progress Reports (Discovery and Linkage) - It is anticipated that Progress Reports will need to be submitted to RRTD by the middle of January to meet the ARC deadline of the 31st of Jan 2009.

NHMRC Project Progress Reports– It is anticipated that Progress Reports will need to be submitted to RRTD around the middle of March to meet the NHMRC deadline of 31st March 2009.

ARC and NHMRC Projects which were due to end in 2008, but are requesting a carry forward of funds into 2009, will need to have Progress Reports submitted.
 
Final Reports
ARC and NHMRC Projects ending in 2008 will need to have Final Reports submitted within 6 months of the completion date.

Seminars on Writing Skills for ARC Research Grant and Fellowship Applications

RRTD will be conducting a series of seminars on strategies and approaches to writing grant and fellowship applications. RRTD have released the details of the ARC seminar most relevant to SBMS Researchers:

Seminar 3 - ARC
Biological Sciences and Biotechnology
9.00-11.00am
Tuesday 9th December 2008
Auditorium, QBI (Lvl 7 BLDG 79)

If you are interested in attending you will need to register by emailing k.wenzel@research.uq.edu.au. Please include in this email your name, title, School and details of the session you will be attending.

There will also be similar seminars for the NHMRC. Information on these will be circulated shortly.

Biomedical Research Award
Spring Round closes 30th November. 1st Prize - $2,500 2nd Prize - $1,500. For entry requirements and submission instructions.

Speical Seminars on Writting Skills for NHMRC Research Grant & Fellowship Applications

As part of the University’s preparation for the 2009 major schemes for the NHMRC, Research & Research Training Division (RRTD) will be conducting two seminars, one on strategies and approaches to writing NHMRC grant applications and the other on strategies and approaches for fellowship applications, similar to the successful seminars in previous years.

NHMRC Grant Writing Seminar

The Grant Writing seminar will include presentations from current/recent members of NHMRC Panels of Reviewers and other senior academic staff with substantial track records of success. There will be ample time for questions and discussion at the conclusion of the Grant Writing presentations.

An NHMRC Project Grants Administration Guidelines Information Session will follow the Grant Writing presentation for those who wish to stay on following the Afternoon Tea break. The Information Session will provide an overview of the application process, focussing also on new funding rules and criteria required for completing and submitting the actual grant application correctly.

NHMRC Fellowship Seminar

The NHMRC Fellowships seminar will include presentations from current and past fellowship holders, members or former members of NHMRC panels and other senior academic staff with substantial relevant experience. This session will also allow ample time for questions and discussions.

Registrations are essential. Please register by email to k.wenzel@research.uq.edu.au

When registering, please supply the following information:

1. Details of the session/s for which you are registering;
2. Your name and title;
3. Your School or Centre; and
4. Email address.

Please see the program below for details of the seminars; presenters for each session will be advised closer to the time.

NHMRC Fellowships - Thursday 4 December 2008, 2 - 4 pm
IMB Auditorium, Queensland Bioscience Precinct
306 Carmody Rd
Bldg 80, UQ, St Lucia Campus
(Entry to the Auditorium is via ramp from Chancellor’s Place entrance).
Seminar: 2.00-3.30pm
Afternoon Tea: 3.30-4.00pm

NHMRC Grant Writting - Thursday 11 December 2008, 1 - 4 pm
Auditorium, Qld Brain Institute (QBI)
Level 7, QBI (Bldg 79)
Upland Road
UQ, St Lucia Campus
Afternoon Tea: 2.30-3.00pm
NHMRC Admin Guidelines Information Session 3-4pm

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New Risk Assessments
A number of new Risk Assessments (RA) on the Database have been posted on the OHS Intranet and several amended recently. They are

#6450 – SBMS - Histology Techniques (amended)
#12390 – SBMS - Use of walkmans and digital media players in the laboratory
#12393 – SBMS – Conducting a chemical inventory
#12542 – SBMS – Assessment of hazards in SBMS to determine First Aid requirements

Remember these are very generic RA and are designed it be a guide only. Researchers must “personalise” these risk assessments ie. make relevant to your individual tasks / protocols.

OHS Intranet site
FYI – Many new and revised OHS Policies have been posted on the SBMS Intranet site. SBMS and UQ OHS Forms will also be posted on this site in the near future.

OHS Inductions
The final OHS Inductions for the year will be held on the following dates:
3 December , 17 December

Inductions will re-commence and will be held fortnightly from Wednesday 7 January at 10.30am.

New Safety Products
There are some new safety products that some of you might find useful.

The first is a "glow in the dark", non-slip step edge. We are going to use it around the entrances to buildings and loading docks. Have also passed this info onto P&F and hopefully they will use it across UQ. For more info go to www.ecoglo.com.au

The second is a glass ampoule opener "Snapit" from Qlicksmart (Scalpel blade remover). More Information.

December Courses

Workplace Health & Safety Representative Training - 2 & 3 December 9:00am – 4:30 pm TEDI Seminar Room, Bldg #15 - Runs over 2 consecutive days
Biological Safety
Requirements for working with Biological Material – 2 Hours 10 December 9:00am – 11:00am, QBI Auditorium, Level 7

For detailed course descriptions and to register, please contact the Teaching and Educational Development Institute on extension 53019.

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Stephen Anderson        
Conference - December 2 (1 day)
Recreation - December 15 -16 (2 days), January 5 - 27 (16 days)
Mark Bellingham          
Recreation - November 27 - December 5 (7 days)
Mike Bennett             
Field work - December 5 - 12 (6 days)
Adrian Bradley     
Recreation - December 1 - 2 (2 days)
Lindsay Brown       
Conference - November 28 - December 23 (18 days)
Gordon Campbell        
Recreation - December 15 - 24 (8 days)
Chen Chen           
Recreation-  December 8 - 12 (5 days), Recreation - December 15 - 19 (5 days)
Kay Colthorpe             
Conference - December 8 - 12 (5 days)
Jon Curlewis               
Recreation - January 5 – 16 (10 days)
Hardy Ernst            
Recreation - January 5 - 16 (10 days)
Jon Good                
Recreation - December 17 - 24 (6 days), January 5 - 22 (14 days)
Peter Kaye          
LSL - August 29 - January 2 2009, January 5 - 30 (19 days)
Nick Lavidis             
Recreation - November 21 – December 4 (10 days)
Brad Launikonis         
Conference - November 28 - December 5 (6 days), February 25 - March 12 (13 days)
Daniel Markovich         
Conference - December 1 - 5 (5 days), December 8 - 12 (5 days)
Justin Marshall        
Recreation - December 12 - 23 (8 days), January 19 - 23 (5 days)
Conference - January 27 - 30 (4 days)
Boris Martinac          
Conference - December 1 - 2 (2 days), Recreation -  December 3 - 5 (3 days)
Mick McManus                                        
October 17 - December 17
Susan Mercer        
Recreation - January 5 - 9 (5 days)
Rod Minchin       
Conference - February 11 - 13 (3 days)
Peter Noakes           
Recreation - December 15 – January 12
Ethan Scott
Conference - December 5 - 12 (6 days), Recreation - December 16 - 24 (7 days)
Stephen Taylor         
Recreation - December 8 - 19 (10 days)
Peter Thorn           
Conference - December 1 - 5 (5 days)
Terry Tunny       
Recreation - December 1 - 24 (18 days)
Kristy Weir        
Recreation - December 24 - January 15 (10 days)

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NHMRC and ARC Carry Forwards

The University’s Research Accounting section will send individual memos to researchers if a carry forward justification is needed for their ARC or NHMRC grant.  Research Accounting have advised they will be sending these memos out in January.  
 
NHMRC allow a carry forward of up to 25% of the year’s budget without approval (except in the final year of the grant).   For ARC, 75% is allowed.
 
NHMRC website pertaining to carry forward of NHMRC project grant funding:   
ARC website pertaining to carry forward of ARC grant funding:  

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Have a Merry Low Carbon Christmas
 
Christmas is a time of giving .... and buying!  Use your own purchasing power to give something back to the environment.  Buy things with minimal packaging, shop at a local market for your Christmas dinner, don’t leave the Christmas lights on all night, choose sustainable seafood and free-range organic chicken or turkey and vegetables, make your own cards, decorations, wrapping paper and presents.  You can save money too.
 
Wish list for Santa.....
·        Energy efficient light bulbs and a solar panel
·        A new bike – which I will ride to work every other day
·        A new vege garden, potted herbs and veges
·        A worm farm and compost bin
·        Only pre-loved clothes
·        My presents wrapped in recycled paper

Check out this article from the Australian Conservation Society for further ideas about a sustainable Christmas.

And remember when you go on holidays, PLEASE turn off all your lights, electrical equipment and appliances at the wall.

Dave Logan
CoralWatch Project Manager
Ext: 54080
E-mail: d.logan@uq.edu.au

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